IPSY: November Glam Bag! (Subscription Box)

Hi everyone!

I don't normally update my blog on Wednesday, but I just got my November IPSY glam bag in the mail and couldn't wait to give you a first impression and my thoughts on the items I received! For those of you that don't know, IPSY is a monthly subscription service that costs $10 a month and you receive 4-5 samples in a cute cosmetic bag. When you first sign up for IPSY you fill our a brief survey and that's how they personalize the items that thou receive. I recently resubscribed to IPSY after canceling for a month and this is the first bag I received with my new subscription. I had been a little annoyed with the samples in my previous bags so I decided to cancel, but this month's bag looked really good so I re-subscribed.

The theme of the bag this month is "Girl Meets Glitter: Life is Short Wear Glitter." Thankfully even though that's the theme, not all of the items I received contained glitter. I don't mind some glitter and sparkle, but I definitely don't want it in every item I receive.

This month the samples I received in my bag this month are:
          - SeaRX Skincare: Micro-Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub
          - Be A Bombshell Cosmetics: Eye Base - Shade: Submissive
          - IT Cosmetics: Bye By Under Eye Concealer - Shade: Neutral Medium
          - Marc Anthony: Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray
          - StarLooks: Lip Gloss - Shade: Guilty Pleasure

In addition, the bag this month was a collaboration between IPSY and Forever 21 Cosmetics, and it is a sparkly silver bag with a pink zipper and pull tab closure. It's a very fun bag but unfortunately it feels very cheap and inexpensive. I think I will probably pass this bag along to one of my younger cousins who I think will love it.

SeaRX Skincare: Micro-Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub
IPSY describes this skincare product as "Exfoliate your whole body with this all-over scrub, which utilizes an advanced crystal blend system. The gentle scrub effectively exfoliates, removes dead cells and reveals softer, healthier skin. Featuring minerals and extracts, the formula improves skin tone and leaves you with smoother, firmer looking skin." This sample size is 0.3 oz which is a great size to try out for a couple of days. I have not yet tried it out, but I love scrubs so I'm really excited to give it a go! A full-size of this product retails for $32 and contains 100 grams, which is about about 3.53 ounces. Therefore, this sample contains about 1/12th of the product of the full-size version and would retail for about $3.

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics: Eye Base - Shade: Submissive
IPSY describes this product as, "This eye base is a highly pigmented, long-lasting product that can be used as a single cream color or used as an eye base to build color." They recommend applying the product lightly with your fingertip to create a natural finish and layer on additional product if you want additional color. You can also create a more intense look by layering with a powder eyeshadow. I really like this shade, I think it would be a great starting item to create a nice copper smokey eye. In terms of texture, this eyeshadow is very pigmented and smooth, although I find that they definitely take a little building up to get the color I desire. I've only swatched this product so I will follow up with a more thorough review and let you know how they apply to the eye and if they crease. A full-size of this product retails for $14, which I believe is what I received.

IT Cosmetics: Bye By Under Eye Concealer - Shade: Neutral Medium
I was so excited to receive this sample as I absolutely LOVE this concealer! IPSY describes this concealer as, "This best-selling, cult-favorite and award-winning concealer delivers highly pigmented, long-lasting coverage that won’t crease or crack. Infused with anti-aging technology, vitamins and high-performance pigments, this multipurpose concealer improves the appearance of wrinkles and effectively conceals the appearance of skin imperfections including dark circles, bags, redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, age spots and discoloration. Finally an extreme concealer that makes you look younger!" This is definitely a thick concealer and you really need to warm it up on the back of your hand before applying, like they suggest. If you don't, I find that it's hard to blend out this concealer and that it creases pretty badly. However, when used correctly this product works amazingly well and covers even the darkest of under eye circles. I also find it works wonders for covering blemishes and redness. I will say, unfortunately IPSY was only offering this concealer in the shade Neutral Medium (thankfully my shade!), so that definitely won't work for everyone. If you've never tried this concealer, I highly recommend it! I'm looking forward to using this sample size for traveling!

Comparison between travel & full-size concealer

Marc Anthony: Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray
I always love receiving hair products in subscription services because I often don't go outside my comfort zone and pay to try new products so this is a great way to try new items. IPSY describes this product as, "Get extra volume, shine and hold with this dual purpose hairspray; nourishing and styling in one! This argan oil, keratin and grape seed oil infused hairspray gives you strong and flexible hold plus deep nourishment, strengthening and conditioning as you style. The non-water based, fast drying formula freeze-frames your volume and hold without stickiness or flaking and it’s flexible finish creates workable styles for easy re-styling without crunch or heavy build-up. It creates a luminous finish and shields against humidity for longer lasting styles. Sun Protectors keep the sun and other elements from damaging your full bodied mane." I have already used this hairspray and I absolutely love it! It doesn't get hard or sticky like some hairsprays which is great and it stays put all night! I highly recommend it and I will be buying a full size of it soon!

StarLooks: Lip Gloss - Shade: Guilty Pleasure
I don't often wear lip gloss so it's not one of the types of products I like receiving it subscription boxes. I have so many already that I never use so I hate adding more items to it, when I would have much rather received a lipstick. IPSY describes this product as, "Starlooks Lip Glosses are created with a truly moisturizing, luxury, non-sticky formula. This neutral-rose, yet glamorous shade provides the perfect glisten for any lip look and complements any skin tone! Can be worn alone or in combination with other Starlooks lip products for a truly customizable finish." I have not tried out this  product on my lips yet, but from my hand swatch it seems that this lip gloss is pretty sticky and requires a couple of swatches back and forth to get it as pigmented as you see in the photos below. I do like that IPSY selected this product in a nice neutral yet universally flattering shade.

Okay, so that's everything that was in my IPSY glam bag this month! What did you guys think or receive in your own IPSY glam bags? Are there any other subscription services that you've been loving that I should check out? Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!
-Meg

Special IPSY Coupon Codes:
Here are some special IPSY exclusive coupon codes for you guys to enjoy!
SeaRX Beauty: Free Shipping on orders over $50 with code searxipsy at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14, not valid for Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico)
IT Cosmetics: 20% off orders of $25 or more with code IPSY at checkout (valid thru 12/31/14, free shipping in US only)
StarLooks: 20% off all cosmetics purchases with code IPSY at checkout (value thru 12/31/14)
Calvin Klein Beauty (via Ulta): $5 off of $30 CK One Color Cosmetics purchase with code 202882 at checkout
Elizabeth Mott: 50% off your entire oder with code IPSYFINE at checkout
GlamGlow: 30% off any purchase with code IPSY at checkout (valid thru 11/31/14, US only)
Temptu: 25% off any purchase with code IPSY at checkout (valid thru 12/31/14, US only)
Tarte: 20% off at Tarte.com with code IPSYNOV at checkout (valid thru 12/10/14, US/Canada/Puerto Rico only)
Rouge Underground: $10 off any $50 purchase with code RUIPSY at checkout (Valid thru 2/10/15, US/Canada only)
L.A. Colors (via Hot Topic): 25% off order with code IPSY at checkout (Valid thru 11/30/14, US/Canada only)
JCAT Beauty: 25% off any purchase with code 25JCAT at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14, US/Canada only)
Elizabeth Arden: 15% off + UNTOLD sample with any $50 purchase + Free Shipping with code IPSY at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14)
Demeter Fragrance: 20% off any purchase with code IPSY at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14)
ClariSEA: 25% off any purchase with code GLOW at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14, US only (not Hawaii or Alaska)

October 2014 BoxyCharm Unboxing

Hi everyone!

I loved my BoxyCharm box so much last month that I decided to keep my subscription going and today I have a review for you of my October box. (You can see a review of my September box HERE).

For those of you who are new to BoxyCharm, it is a monthly makeup subscription service that costs $21 and they send you 4-5 full-size products, which is a great value when you consider that Ipsy and Birchbox are half that price and you only get small samples. I believe, but am not 100% sure, that BoxyCharm now has a waitlist, but I think it's shorter than Ipsy's.

This month, the 5 full-size products I was sent were:
     - Palmetto Derma Collagen Booster & Restoration Serum --> retails for $48
     - Coastal Scents Eclipse Concealer Palette --> retails for $19.95
     - Cult/Commerce x BoxyCharm "Shady" Collection Nail Polishes --> retails for $21
     - Be A Bombshell Eye Shadow --> retails for $14
     - StarLooks Ultra Gem Pencils --> retails for $14

This month's box also came with a special 20% off coupon for Palmetto Derma's website, just use the promo code BCPD2 at checkout. The coupon code is valid thru 12/31/14.

Palmetto Derma Collagen Booster & Restoration Serum
This is a serum that is intended to "protect from premature aging and creates youthful, glowing and beautiful skin, all day and night!" BoxyCharm recommends applying a small amount of the product in the morning and evening after cleansing and toning your face. Allow the product time to absorb before applying moisturizer and they do warn to keep it away from your eyes. A full-size, 1 ounce, bottle of this serum retails for $48, so this is a terrific product to receive in a subscription box as I would probably not buy this product on my own. If you're interested in buying this product, you can purchase it from Palmetto Derma's website and Amazon. I have not tried this product yet, but once I do, I will probably do a Skincare Saturday/Sunday post on it if you guys are interested.

Coastal Scents Eclipse Concealer Palette
This is the Eclipse Concealer Palette by the brand Coastal Scents that retails for $19.95 but is currently on sale for $14.95 on their website.

The palette contains 15 different shades, 11 of which are shades for you to match to your skin (some have warm tones and some have cool tones), then there are 4 other shades, a mint green shade which counteracts redness or pinkness caused from rosacea, blemishes, or capillaries around the nose and cheek areas, a pale yellow shade which conceals black, blue, or purple imperfections such as bruises or unsightly under eye halos, a lavender shade which neutralizes areas with excessive yellow pigmentation and corrects olive skin tones, and a white/silver shade can be used as a highlighter to add sheen to cheekbones, nose, eyes, etc.

This is the second Coastal Scents product I've tried and I'm honestly very impressed! The concealers are very creamy and highly pigmented. They are probably some of the best drug store concealers that I've used, they even beat many high end concealers! It may seem unnecessary to buy a palette like this since you might think that you won't use all the colors, but I find that you can use some of the shades that don't exactly match your skin tone to contour and highlight/brighten your face. I honestly love this palette and highly recommend it to anyone looking to try out some new concealers! The packaging is a heavy duty plastic so it is also a very good item to travel with as it won't get smashed in your bag. I'm really happy with how well this concealer covered my under-eye circles and brightened the area up!

Cult/Commerce x BoxyCharm "Shady" Collection Nail Polishes
I have neve heard of this nail polish before, but I like that they gave us two different colors, one a dark gray and one a deep purple. I actually really like the purple color and think I will get a lot of wear out of it this fall. I will try them out and report back on how well they wear.

Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow
Prior to receiving this product, I have previously tried a mascara and eyeshadow quad from the brand Be a Bombshell. I wasn't impressed with the mascara since it had a truly horrible smell to it, I couldn't even bear to put it on my eyelashes. On the other hand, I was very impressed with the eyeshadow quad I received.

Because I really liked the Be a Bombshell eyeshadow quad I previously received from an Ipsy/Birchbox, I was excited to receive one in this BoxyCharm. However, I was disappointed to receive this color. I don't tend to wear green eyeshadows, and since this is a dark green shimmer eyeshadow intended for a smokey eye, I don't think I will actually wear it.

However, I do like the texture of this eyeshadow, it's very smooth and finely milled. It just glides right on. I am really curious to try these solo eyeshadows in a color that I might actually wear because the quality seems really great.

Here are some hand swatches of this eyeshadow. On the left side in each photo is a heavy swatch and on the right is a light swatch (only one swipe).

StarLooks Ultra Gem Pencils
The last product in this BoxyCharm was a StarLooks Ultra Gem Pencil in the color ultra violet. I was excited to try a StarLooks pencil since I've heard really good things about them, but unfortunately this is not a color that I wear. I barely wear eyeliner since my eyes water a lot and it usually gets messy and wipes away.

The quality of this eyeshadow pencil is pretty amazing! It's a little smudgy, so if you like to smudge out your eyeliner this is a pretty good one. All in all, I'm really impressed and will definitely check out getting a more normal color one that I would actually wear.

If you do like colored eyeliner, this is a very beautiful color. It's a rich, deep blue-purple that I think would be very beautiful on people with all different eye colors. I might keep this eyeliner for New Year's Eve or some other special event just because I think it looks very beautiful on the eyes.

Final Verdict:
All in all, I think this was a great box this month! I wish that my eyeliner and eyeshadow would have been more neutral colors, but getting brighter and more different colors really pushes me to expand how I wear my makeup so I guess it's not the end of the world. I love that for about $20 a month you get to try out 5 full size products and they always retail for MUCH more than the cost of the box, so it's a great deal! For those of you who are getting tired of your Ipsy/Birchbox subscriptions, I highly recommend checking out BoxyCharm!

Are you interested in trying BoxyCharm? Are you loving any other subscription box services at the moment that you'd recommend I try? Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!